Legend of Tyago
One hundred cycles past, in the midst of an Autumn storm, a Keeper of the Moon stepped out from hiding. Her name was Tyago Jakkya.
A storm of lances and fire rained upon the Twelveswood. Rhalgr had come to destroy the forest. While many cowered away from this god out of fear or respect, Tyago dared to deny him. “Your Lightning is powerful, great god, but this forest has weathered many storms.†She declared.
Rhalgr payed the tiny being no mind. No mortal could stop him. But the fate of the forest was not decided solely by him. Mayhaps he was testing the people, or mayhaps he simply watched his children make the storm for him. One can not know the motives of a god.
The storm continued on, and Tyago only grew more enraged by the destruction of her home. “Now I become the jackal.†She declared. “I need no light but the Moon, and my nose can guide me true. I need no home, for I can live anywhere I must. I need no tradecrafts, for I can take what others leave behind. I need no society aside from my pack, and even if you take them from me, I will live on alone. I need no armor, for I will not be where my enemies aim. I need no bravery; I will kill my enemies as they sleep. I need no allegiance; survival is my flag. I am a jackal in your storm, and all storms eventually pass.â€
When the nights became cold, Tyago crafted spears and knives of ice. When she felt lonely, she remembered Menphina’s unending love. When she needed hope, she looked to the Moon guarded by her red hound. When Tyago’s muscles grew tired from running and fighting, she relied on her frigid will.
Scavenging and hunting, hitting and running - Tyago and her followers knew the forest better than the storm. The lightning could strike where ever it wished, for the jackals would not be there. Beating a god was impossible, but not the way. Beating his children could not be done alone, but even that was not the way of the jackal. Nay, the way of the jackal was to outlast it all. Survive until the god grew bored, and survive until his children fell.
A Griffin is powerful, but when one attacks, all the other beasts ignore the jackals. Fear in the hearts of the forest-born and all those who shared fear with them turned to anger. That anger became a force unlike anything seen before, and never seen since.
Althyk demanded the storm end, and Halone demanded retribution. Menphina may be The Lover, but when scorned, she will only give ice!
Tyago watched as the storm faded, and Autumn gave way to Winter. As the first of Halone’s winds blew, she gave the goddess an oath. “For our survival, we offer you our fangs and claws in the next storm. Any who threaten this forest again will pay in blood.â€
